A little glycerin added to the water for cleaning windows or mirrors will prevent them from fogging or steaming up. Winter and bad ventilation are often the main culprits in rendering reflective surfaces opaque.

Instead of frantically wiping down a blurry mirror with the corner of your towel or a washcloth only to have it steam right up again, add a splash of glycerin to the water the next time you clean your mirror.

Glycerin is one of those little-known but often used items, and is non-toxic, colorless and odorless. You can buy it at pharmacies or drugstores, or in the health and wellness section of many larger supermarkets. Photo by B Rosen.